2020-2021 Back to School Information
When we return to school on August 24, we will return in our Hybrid Plan (Plan B) Return To School Plan.
Under the Hybrid Plan, middle school and high school students transition to an A/B schedule, alternating weeks of on-site and virtual instruction to reduce school capacity. Students will receive virtual instruction during the weeks that students are not on-site. Group A will be students with last names beginning in A-K. Group B will be students with last names beginning in L-Z. Elementary students will continue regularly scheduled in-person learning. With more than 25% of elementary students selecting ISD Virtual Learning, social distancing can be maintained without the need to modify elementary school in-person schedules. Early Education will continue in-person under the Hybrid Plan as social distancing requirements can be met.
Registration
Families had the opportunity to select in-person or virtual learning during registration in July. If you have not completed registration for the 2020-2021 school year, you can still register but your student will be in our virtual learning to begin the school year. If you have any questions, you can call our Admissions Office at 816-521-5588.
Please click here for information on residency affidavits, proof of residency documents and district residency verification/schedule pick-up locations, dates and times.
Residency Verification
Each family must prove residency annually. Residency verification is required for all students, virtual and in-person. If you uploaded documents during the online registration process and received a confirmation email from the ISD, you do not need to take those documents to your child’s school. If you did not prove residency during registration, please bring the following documentation to the elementary, middle or high school Residency Verification opportunities. Please have a Photo ID with you to verify that the name on the bill matches the parent/guardian enrolling the student.
- An electric or gas bill from the current address (no more than 30 days old)
AND one of the following:
- Copy of Mortgage Payment, Deed of Trust, or Housing Contract
- Copy of Rental Agreement,
- Copy of Lease Agreement,
- Copy of Jackson County Paid Personal Property Tax Receipt
Residency Verification/Schedule Pick-Up/Bus Pass Pick-up for K-12 (all grade levels)
- August 12-19th (weekdays)
- 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Thursday, August 13th extended hours from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
In accordance with Jackson County guidelines, masks are required. In addition to wearing a face covering, parents and students must pass a temperature scan prior to entering any District building. Anyone with a temperature in excess of 100, will not be permitted to enter the building. Some schools will complete this process in a drive-through style when possible.
*Please be aware that schedules, teacher assignments and bus passes will not be given until obligations are met. If you have questions about outstanding obligations, please contact your child’s school.
Bus Passes
Bus passes can be picked up at your child’s school during schedule pick-up/residency verification for those students who live one mile or more from their school. Bus passes will not be mailed. If you do not arrive at your building to prove residency, you will not receive your bus pass.
Click here for additional transportation information.
Elementary Meet the Teacher Night
ISD elementary students and their parents will have the opportunity to meet their teacher virtually during our Elementary Meet the Teacher Night on Thursday, August 20th from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. More information will be shared from your child’s teacher and school.
Vaccinations
In order to register into the Independence School District, Missouri law requires all students be up-to-date on their immunizations. Click the link below for information on immunizations required for all public school students in the state of Missouri. Proof of immunizations must be submitted at the time of registration.
Vaccination Requirements for Incoming 8th and 12th Grade Students
The state of Missouri requires all incoming 8th and 12th-grade students to have the MCV vaccine. Tdap vaccinations are required for all incoming 8th-grade students. Schedules will be held until proof of immunization is received.
State of Missouri Minimum Immunization Requirements
ISD Payment System
The Independence School District continues to use the My School Bucks payment system for school meals, activities, fees and obligations at www.MySchoolBucks.com. You can add your students using their school name and student ID. MySchoolBucks allows you to make payments for all of your students, even if they attend different schools within the district.
For cafeteria purchases, students will continue to use their student ID number. You can use MySchoolBucks to receive low balance alerts, set up automatic payments, and set daily/weekly spending limits. Cash and check payments will also be accepted at our schools in August. If your student has qualified for free or reduced meal prices, this information is noted in the system and the meal will be processed as it is for all other students.
A technology fee of $20 for the year has been added to all student accounts to support resource implementation to serve all students. This allows each student to have their own assigned Chromebook for the year and to support the technology maintenance. This fee does not cover breakage. Middle and high school students will check-out a Chromebook during schedule pick-up. A parent/guardian must be present to checkout the Chromebook. Chromebooks will be checked out to elementary virtual students during residency verification. Elementary in-person students will utilize their Chromebook at school and not take them home. However, they will have an assigned Chromebook that only that student uses and if they need or want to transition to virtual learning, will take that assigned Chromebook home.
Chromebooks
Middle and high school students will check-out a Chromebook during schedule pick-up. A parent/guardian must be present to checkout the Chromebook. Chromebooks will be checked out to elementary virtual students during residency verification. Elementary in-person students will utilize their Chromebook at school and not take them home. However, they will have an assigned Chromebook that only that student uses and if they need or want to transition to virtual learning, will take that assigned Chromebook home. If you have questions about Chromebooks or technology, you can email helpme@isdschools.org.
Meals
Beginning August 24th, the Independence School District will serve drive-up lunches Monday through Friday at Truman High School, Van Horn High School and William Chrisman High School for students enrolled in virtual learning and students attending school virtually as part of the Hybrid Plan. Meals will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Parents/students will need their student’s ISD student number in order to pick up meals. Meals will need to be paid for in advance using your MySchoolBucks account. Cash will not be accepted. The cost for elementary lunch is $2.75. The cost for middle and high school lunch is $2.90. Families that meet the Eligibility Criteria for free or reduced-price meals should complete the online application here or complete and return this form to Nutrition Services. Drive-up meals will be free or reduced for those who have applied and qualify. Elementary and middle school students should pick up meals at the high school associated with their feeder elementary or middle school as determined by their home address. Parents can drive up along the front entrance drive and our staff will bring meals out so you do not need to get out of your vehicle.
Important Links
Before and After School Services
Kids Safari
Kids’ Safari before and after care is available. If you would like to utilize Kids’ Safari and are not currently enrolled, please call 816-521-5599 ext. 10007 or your Kids’ Safari Site Coordinator at your school.